open_url · Hermes Computer Use MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What open_url does on Hermes Computer Use

AI agents invoke open_url to trigger actions in Hermes Computer Use. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call — builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why open_url needs a policy

Opening a URL triggers an external browser navigation, which is an action with side effects—it can load arbitrary web content, trigger downloads, initiate network requests, or navigate to phishing/malicious sites. This goes beyond a passive read and constitutes execution of an external browser operation.

From the tool's definition Focus Chrome's address bar and load a URL

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

open_url Rate-limited

open_url stays usable, but rate-capped — a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "open_url": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "open_url_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Hermes Computer Use, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about open_url

What does the open_url tool do? +

Focus Chrome's address bar and load a URL. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Hermes Computer Use MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on open_url? +

Register the Hermes Computer Use MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for open_url: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Hermes Computer Use. Nothing to install.

What risk level is open_url? +

open_url is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit open_url? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the open_url rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.

How do I block open_url completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for open_url. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.

What MCP server provides open_url? +

open_url is provided by the Hermes Computer Use MCP server (noah3521/hermes-computer-use). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

// THE FULL RECORD

open_url is one line of Hermes Computer Use's registry record.

The record carries the whole server: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, every tool classified, recommended policy — re-checked continuously.

Teams ship this data inside their own products. See what a licence covers →